The increase in tomato fragrances
Once a kitchen staple, tomatoes have found their place in the fragrance world. Their distinct, captivating scent has become popular in perfumes, candles, and home fragrances. Let’s explore what makes this trend so unique.
Tomato fragrances offer a savory, refreshing aroma that lifts your mood and invigorates your space. The earthy, green notes of tomato make for an appealing scent. The process involves extracting the natural oils and essences from the tomato and blending them with other complementary scents to create a unique fragrance. Perfume content creator Abby Cadet says they work perfect for those who enjoy green, earthy aromas and want something different from the usual floral or fruity perfumes.
Tomato scents can smell crisp and fresh without citrusy, earthy, and slightly bitter notes. The nostalgia of tomato leaves evokes memories of gardening and summer days. Read on to learn more!
Versatility and the connection to nature
The versatility of tomato scents has become a game-changer in the luxury market. From high-end perfumes to candles and cleaning products, tomato fragrances can smell fresh, herbal, earthy, sweet, or crisp. This balance between the fruit’s sweetness and the vine’s greenness offers a range of unique and surprising options. Experts recommend considering how the tomato scent interacts with other notes in the fragrance and its overall impact and longevity. For beginners, layering the tomato scent with a complementary fragrance can help ease into the new aroma.
Vegetal accords, such as tomatoes, bring people closer to nature. Inspired by gardening and the feelings of calm, these scents resonate with those seeking alternatives to traditional summer fragrances. The trend towards eco-elegant vegetal stories, inspired by greenhouses and pantry ingredients, is gaining traction. Brands like Diptyque are leveraging the therapeutic connection to nature and the home with products inspired by the scent of fresh vegetables and herbs, offering a sense of comfort and peace.
Garden-inspired aromas are gaining popularity as brands celebrate humble plants, creating intriguing ingredient stories and elevated sensory experiences that connect with nature. For instance, Flamingo Estate’s Tomato Collection features a candle that pays homage to fresh garden scents like tomato leaves and basil. Similarly, Brûler Candles in the UK markets the Greenhouse Collection, centered on beetroot, rosemary, and basil. High-street giant Zara’s Basilicum candle exudes a fresh aroma, while Byredo’s Sweet Grass candle combines top notes of clary sage and mirabelle with musk, ciste, and powdery orris for a verdant scent. Bistro Waters by D.S. & Durga captures fresh and savory notes with grassy green peppers, just-chopped herbs like basil and coriander, and a dash of nutmeg.
With the rise of #PerfumeTok and a growing interest in backyard beauty and homegrown ingredients, vegetable-based scents are transitioning from niche to mainstream. The hashtag #VegetableGarden has amassed millions of views on TikTok, indicating a significant shift in consumer preferences. This trend extends beyond fine fragrances to personal care and home scenting, with vegetable notes appearing in haircare, deodorants, body mist, and home fragrances.
Pioneers and innovations in vegetable perfumery
In the world of perfumery, vegetables are becoming a main attraction. L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Le Potager collection and Officine Universelle Buly’s Les Jardins Français line lead the way with innovative fragrances featuring vegetables like cauliflower, fennel, and even artichoke. US-based Nette‘s second candle collaboration with Tata Harper features violet leaf and rose notes inspired by Tata Harper’s lush, ingredient-rich garden. Similarly, St Eval’s Garden Path collection captures the essence of secret gardens, while US-based Loam Candles has launched two new scents featuring fresh, earthy, and vibrant florals.
At Symrise, the Garden Lab platform marks a significant step toward sustainability. Dedicated to vegetable studies, it explores nature’s fragrances with a vast scent reservoir that connects consumers to nature. Thanks to a collaboration with the nutrition experts at the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment of Symrise, artichokes, asparagus, leeks, cauliflowers, and onions feature in perfumers’ baskets. SymTrap technology extracts perfume materials from food side streams, enabling Symrise to create a collection of fragrances from 100% natural raw materials.
A fresh future for fragrances
As vegetable-based perfumery continues to evolve, the possibilities look endless. From the nostalgic aroma of tomato leaves to the unique scent of artichokes, the future of fragrances is rooted in the garden. Incorporating vegetables into perfumes provides a refreshing twist and aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable and nature-inspired products.
So, the next time you search for a new perfume, consider which vegetable appeals most to you – you might feel surprised by the fresh twist it brings to your fragrance collection. Ongoing research in vegetable-based perfumery promises new scents, offering consumers a closer connection to nature and a unique olfactory experience. Comment below which fragrance you’ll be trying!
